Discover a fascinating insight into 14th Century England and its colourful characters when the Corinium Museum hosts two lectures in January.

Both lectures will focus on the life and times of Geoffrey Chaucer, a renowned author and poet in medieval Britain, in an era of British history which saw literature and architecture flourish. ‘The Age of Chaucer’ lectures will be hosted by local historian Tim Porter.

The first lecture, on January 24th, is called ‘Chaucer and His Favoured Friends’, while the event on January 31st is called ‘Regional Celebrities’. Both lectures run from 2pm – 4p

A major operation in the Cotswolds targeting fly-tippers and other offenders has been hailed a resounding success.

More than 80 vehicles were stopped and checked in today’s (Friday, 18th January 2008) multi-agency exercise at Seven Springs, which was organised by Cotswold District Council and involved Gloucestershire Police, the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), the Environment Agency and

On Friday 25th January a Festival of Wind Band music will be held in the school hall at The Crypt School, Gloucester. This will be the first occasion when all adult wind bands supported by Gloucestershire Music, the county’s music service, will join forces to perform.

Whilst the majority of its work supports music making in schools, Gloucestershire Music also provides opportunities for adults to learn to play instruments in the context of a wind band, jazz band or orchestra.

The Big Garden Birdwatch is the world's biggest bird survey. It is organised by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and has been a regular event since 1979 when they asked their junior membership to count the birds in their garden - over the same weekend. In 2001 the event was officially opened up to everyone and more than 55,000 people took part. In 2007 more than 400,000 participants took part by counting the birds in their garden for an hour.

Weekend Telegraph Property Section - Caroline McGhie seeks out the best small market towns in Britain. Moreton-in-Marsh is in the top ten

Moreton-in-Marsh has made it into the top ten beating near neighbours like Stow-on-the-Wold, Chipping Norton and Shipston-on-Stour.

"Small market towns are becoming increasing desirable, as much for their natural beauty as their shops and schools" Britain's finest country towns sparkle like precious stones in the property market; beacons of prosperity, enterprise and asperation.

The Princess Royal plans to make a quick 1 hour working visit to Tewkesbury to show support for residents who are being affected by the floods.

The Princess will arrive at the Canterbury Inn, Ashchurch Road in Newtown, Tewkesbury, on Friday 18th January where the Lord-Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, Mr Henry Elwes will present: the Councillor for Newton, Graham Dawson; Town Clerk, Major Michael Wilson; Chairman of Tewkesbury Chamber of Commerce, Mr Bruce Keen; Captain, 1st Tewkesbury Company Boys Brigade, Mr Andrew Baldwin.

Gloucestershire County Council has risen to 29th place, out of nearly 300 employers, on the Workplace Equality Index published by Stonewall on 9th January 2008.

The index is the definitive national benchmark, ranking the UK’s top 100 employers in terms of positive attitude to gay, lesbian and bisexual staff, and serving our customers. Gloucestershire shares the position of highest performing county council alongside Kent.

Employers are ranked according to criteria ranging from implementation of an effective equality programme to demonstrating how they engage with lesbian and gay staff,